650S Spider - impressions 1 week in
Discussion
Hi folks
So had my new storm grey 650S for a week now and had some quality driving yesterday in the nice weather. Randomly drove down to Newlands Corner and happened to be a lotus meet - got loads of positive comments and crowds !
Overall I LOVE this car and already really happy I switched.
Random summary of thoughts having moved from a 458 Spider, perhaps useful to anyone else considering the switch:
- it feels to me a lot more special - you don't see many around. It turns more heads around my area, perhaps because red Ferraris more common.
- gets lots of positive attention, way more then the 458 did. Folks approach you to talk about the car, which is nice
- I love the looks of the car, especially with roof down. It has a lot of presence. The 458 had a designer-like beauty - but the 650S has its own special aura around it, people are inquisitive around it and openly complementary.
- I'm really starting to love the exhaust note and engine noise - it's plenty loud, especially from outside, and it's a more complex sound than the valve controlled barp/scream of the 458. I loved the 458 exhaust note and still do - the 650 is different, however the high end note, overruns, burbles, turbo spool, are all subtle but it grows on you a lot and I love listening to it.
- initially struggled for traction but now car is running in (tyres especially) seems better. Noticeably quicker than the 458.
- fun fun fun to drive - not pushing it yet as running in, but really great to drive around the twisties.
- lots of conveniences - love the lift, the upgraded stereo is better than the Ferrari equiv, and Bluetooth streaming works great. Cruise control handy on motorway. Like the soft close doors and comfort entry/exit.
- seems to eat more fuel than the 458 did.
- I actually find it easier to get into. In the 458, I was always paranoid about rubbing the cream leather after I caught it once with the rear of my belt and scuffed the Edge - so actually find the 650 easier.
- more cabin space in the 458. No space behind rear seats. Slightly more boot space in 458 but not much, both practical for a super car.
- Would be nice if you could lower the roof from outside like the 458.
- you can play YouTube on the iRIS2 browser - my 8 year old thought this was particularly cool watching minecraft mod videos whilst parked.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/CRRCH71t.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/BqT4ZheI" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/BqT4ZheI.jpg)
So had my new storm grey 650S for a week now and had some quality driving yesterday in the nice weather. Randomly drove down to Newlands Corner and happened to be a lotus meet - got loads of positive comments and crowds !
Overall I LOVE this car and already really happy I switched.
Random summary of thoughts having moved from a 458 Spider, perhaps useful to anyone else considering the switch:
- it feels to me a lot more special - you don't see many around. It turns more heads around my area, perhaps because red Ferraris more common.
- gets lots of positive attention, way more then the 458 did. Folks approach you to talk about the car, which is nice
- I love the looks of the car, especially with roof down. It has a lot of presence. The 458 had a designer-like beauty - but the 650S has its own special aura around it, people are inquisitive around it and openly complementary.
- I'm really starting to love the exhaust note and engine noise - it's plenty loud, especially from outside, and it's a more complex sound than the valve controlled barp/scream of the 458. I loved the 458 exhaust note and still do - the 650 is different, however the high end note, overruns, burbles, turbo spool, are all subtle but it grows on you a lot and I love listening to it.
- initially struggled for traction but now car is running in (tyres especially) seems better. Noticeably quicker than the 458.
- fun fun fun to drive - not pushing it yet as running in, but really great to drive around the twisties.
- lots of conveniences - love the lift, the upgraded stereo is better than the Ferrari equiv, and Bluetooth streaming works great. Cruise control handy on motorway. Like the soft close doors and comfort entry/exit.
- seems to eat more fuel than the 458 did.
- I actually find it easier to get into. In the 458, I was always paranoid about rubbing the cream leather after I caught it once with the rear of my belt and scuffed the Edge - so actually find the 650 easier.
- more cabin space in the 458. No space behind rear seats. Slightly more boot space in 458 but not much, both practical for a super car.
- Would be nice if you could lower the roof from outside like the 458.
- you can play YouTube on the iRIS2 browser - my 8 year old thought this was particularly cool watching minecraft mod videos whilst parked.
Edited by shabster on Monday 18th April 08:40
If that's how you already feel after a week and the running in period wait until you have done a few thousand miles and the summer is here. The car is a grower and you need to get miles under your belt to fully appreciate it especially if you have come out of something as good as the 458 spider.
You must be loving the carbon tub advantage. Personally I would never buy another spider without a carbon tub after the McLaren.
Glad you are pleased and give us another update a few months down the line when you have had chance to do some proper driving.
Enjoy
You must be loving the carbon tub advantage. Personally I would never buy another spider without a carbon tub after the McLaren.
Glad you are pleased and give us another update a few months down the line when you have had chance to do some proper driving.
Enjoy
Normally engines will loosen with a few miles...and 4000 is nothing...probably 10000 miles plus before an engine has freed up properly...whence the improvement in economy.
Despite my preference for the looks of the 12C, Carbon Grey or whatever the shade is suits the 650S...it looks good.
Despite my preference for the looks of the 12C, Carbon Grey or whatever the shade is suits the 650S...it looks good.
RamboLambo said:
I don't know what I'm doing wrong but my fuel consumption has improved from 8 mpg to 13.5 mpg now the car has got 4,000 miles on it.
It does seem I have to fill up everytime I go out in her.
Not sure how some people appear to get 20 + mpg out of their cars
32mpg on motorway and around 24mpg average in my 12C. Just the superior quality is the 12C over the 650s ;-) I know an LT owner who can get 36mpg, they seem to be even more economical, strange......It does seem I have to fill up everytime I go out in her.
Not sure how some people appear to get 20 + mpg out of their cars
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